Angola's dos Santos will not run in 2017 presidential election

Angolan President and MPLA leader, Jose Eduardo dos Santos attends a party central committee at a meeting in Luanda, Angola, December 2 ,2016. REUTERS/Herculano Coroado

LUANDA (Reuters) - Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos will not run in this year’s presidential election, he said on Friday, calling an end his 38 years in power.

Defence Minister Joao Lourenco will be the presidential candidate for the ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in elections planned in August, dos Santos said. Dos Santos will remain president of the MPLA.